St. Joe football goes on, minus Cooksey

After losing arguably its greatest football coach in school history, St. Joseph Academy is once again looking for a new leader on the gridiron.

Al Cooksey resigned last month to take the head coaching job at Hilliard, leaving the Flashes looking for their fifth coach in eight years.

"We were really happy with him and didn't want to see him go," St. Joe athletic director Mike Maloney said. "Unfortunately, we have our limitations and can't offer everything a public school can."

Cooksey's departure came at a tough time for the Flashes as spring practice began on Monday.

"It's a real busy week for us with the seniors finishing up," Maloney said. "We haven't been able to do a lot yet as far as hiring a new coach, but we certainly want to get it figured out by the end of the month."

While St. Joe gets its hiring process under way, interim head coach Clyde Taylor is guiding the team through spring drills. Taylor was the team's offensive coordinator last season under Cooksey.

"He's the head coach right now through spring practice," Maloney said.

"It's possible he could be the coach in the fall, but we're not sure whether it will work out or not."

Whomever takes over at St. Joe will likely have a difficult challenge trying to match Cooksey's success.

In three seasons, he led the Flashes to a combined 25-7 record, capped by last season's District 4-A championship. Cooksey led St. Joe to the state playoffs the last two years. Before that, the Flashes had reached the playoffs only once in school history.

"The biggest thing we're looking for is a knowledgeable candidate," Maloney said.

"We want somebody who can maintain the respect level that exists now."